October 2024
10/15/24 New Member Orientation
L-R: Amy La, JoAnn Kuroda, Mary Ann Takemoto, Valerie Armstrong, Faye Alperin, Denice Hernandez, Lamis Hashem, Celia Mejia, Lynne Katz, Sandy Cajigas and Tobi Balma
Honoring Branch “Shape the Future” Awardees
Based on our success in recruitment last year, the branch was awarded three free national memberships. The Executive Committee approved awarding these memberships to three outstanding branch members. We are fortunate to have such outstanding members and are delighted to recognize them with this award.
Becky Low has served as our Vantage editor for a number of years. She does a superb job with the newsletter which helps to keep members informed and aware of current issues. Her background of teaching and running computer classes and labs for American schools overseas shows in her dedicated work on the newsletter. Becky was fortunate to live and work abroad for more than 20 years in Spain, Chile, Abu Dhabi and Canada. It is our vibrant group of women and the opportunity to learn so much that keeps her connected with us.
Linda Westman is in her second term as Secretary for the branch and has served as Fund VP multiple years. Additionally, she has volunteered for the STEM conference and is a great team member who is always willing to help. Linda’s background is in education and she has a passion for reading mystery novels and gardening. Linda says the friendships she has made, her belief in the AAUW mission, and the feeling that she is making a contribution in our community, are very important aspects of being a part of our organization.
Lamis Hashem is well-known for her gracious hosting of many AAUW new member orientation dinners at her home featuring authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Lamis was born in Damascus, Syria and still has family there. She has just returned from an extended trip visiting relatives in Jordan. Lamis taught French Literature at CSULA and is a big proponent of our Book Chat group.
AAUW Long Beach Branch
Member Daphne Ching-Jackson
to be honored by
Long Beach Soroptimist Club at
their 100th Anniversary Celebration!
Daphne Ching Jackson served as Executive Director of Constellation Community Middle School in Long Beach from 1999-2012, a Charter School, authorized by Long Beach Unified School District.
Daphne joined CAMEO, an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Long Beach, in 1987 as a Charter Member. She served in various leadership roles including Chairperson as well as Mentoring Chair.In her capacity as CAMEO’s Mentoring Chair, Daphne and her committee facilitated monthly enrichment programs & activities for 30 High School students & their mentors. She herself has mentored High School students one-on-one through the CAMEO Mentoring Program for the past 34 years.
As a long-time member of the Long Beach branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Daphne has served as either president or co-president three times. Through that organization, she also started one of the first STEM programs in the Long Beach area that annually exposed over 200 middle school girls from Long Beach schools to science and technology professionals who showed them the career opportunities that these professions offered to girls.
Daphne is passionate, possesses a strong work ethic & a desire for each student to succeed. She continues to share valuable life work experiences with the students that she mentors. These students have benefited greatly from her guidance & wealth of knowledge.
In 2012, Daphne was honored as one of their Women of Distinction.
Left to right, new members Grace Mucci, Paddy Lock and Juliet Witt